The Sitarian Cypher

Sessions One to Two + PC/NPC Lists

10

FEB/13

The Sitarian Cypher: Session 1 (1/21/13)

The Cast (PCs) updated 2/27/13:
1) Sir Dameon Deluca & Marcellus (Human cavalier—-Order of the Dragon—-Beast Rider, & war- trained tiger mount/animal companion): Dameon’s proud banner bears his Order’s fierce, loyal dragon on one side, and on the other his family’s crest of a rampant tiger, cunning and deadly. Though the nobleman’s speech is gentle and eloquent, he is armed to the teeth for when diplomacy fails—-as is his uncannily intelligent tiger mount, Marcellus. For years he served a noble house faithfully as a knight. But his bitter disagreement with that house’s lawful yet morally repulsive investment in the slave trade led him to sever ties and pursue worthier allies.

2) Inquisitor Red True [betimes alias Red Ink] (Human inquisitor of Cayden Cailean {God of freedom/ale/bravery presiding over Chaos/Charm/Good/Strength/Travel}—-Travel Domain): Red’s gleaming mithral armor and personal arsenal mark him a formidable foe to unholy perversions like undead and lycanthropes. Still he exudes the easy charm, impulsiveness, and love of revelry so common in Cayden’s followers but so rare in the inquisitor’s righteous and bloody calling. MISSING IN ACTION AS OF DAY 3, LASTSEEN IN CROSSROADS.

3) Balin Solaire (Human fighter—-wind dancing/dervish style scimitar specialist, worshiper of Sarenrae {Goddess of sun/redemption/honesty/healing presiding over Fire/Glory/Good/Healing/Sun}): Balin’s measured grace with his scimitar—-favored by the sun goddess and forged in cold iron—-hints at an early life of devout worship, austere discipline, and confrontations with dangerous fey. But his honorable nature may yet be tempered by the blood of his wily, audacious grandfather, Aleph the mage. MISSING IN ACTION AS OF DAY 3, LASTSEEN IN CROSSROADS.

4) Barlow Ax-Flinger (Vudrani half-orc desert bandit, the ‘host’) & Bartimaeus Calderi (human oracle of lore {Irori, god of self-perfection presiding over Healing/Knowledge/Law/Strength/Runes}, the ‘possessor’—-haunted curse—-possessed archetype) & Greta & Ivan Scorpion-Heel (spirits): Brutish Barlow rues the day he tried to execute Bartimaeus, a frail sage unjustly blamed for the loss of a bandit chief’s obnoxious twins. Instead divine intervention saddled him with Bartimaeus’ consciousness—-and two huffy ghost children, who believe revenge should be served piping hot, from a kitchen that never closes, and when possible on a sharp stick.

5) Maleficent (tiny fey sorcerer—-draconic/linnorm{brass dragon/fire}bloodline): Maleficent prefers to tell her own story, thanks, as other versions might confuse her heroic and spontaneous undertakings—-to protect many venues and lesser beings with her powers—-with some whimsical, serial abandonment of prior commitments. Why, such chumps might even fail to recognize a majestic, legendary dragon who, if she were not as patient and magnanimous as her elders, could snuff out their lives with a thought.

6) Dr. Gregory Stone (human alchemist): Silver-haired Dr. Stone, with his trailing beard and elderly frame stooped in his white coat, appears meek and harmless. But to spend time with him is to witness a resourceful genius who hurls devastating bombs, who produces potables for every problem, and who may at any moment nod wisely at the laws of the reality before grabbing and twisting them like putty. In his early years he devastated the enemy ranks on the battlefield in the great war. Over time he eschewed his violent past and became a kind and dedicated healer, until the Lord Mayor summoned him to defend a precious delivery by any means necessary.

7) Lady Delphi Caspian (half-elf inquisitor of Besmara {Goddess of piracy/sea monsters presiding over Chaos/Trickery/War/Water/Weather}—-Trickery Domain): After being orphaned at seven by events too horrible to remember, Delphi had a harsh but jolly upbringing with seafaring pirates. She developed a talent for divine magic but was too strongwilled to worship any goddess but Besmara. Her only clue to her past is the strange brand on her side, but her chance to learn its meaning died with a kindly beggar named Bismarck who hailed her as “Lady Caspian.” Now she hunts the one who left Bismarck’s savaged body on the docks—-a dangerous foe who may be hunting her in turn.

Supporting Cast (NPCs in order of mention):

1) Ptolemy Hiton: Lord Mayor of Friendly Bay. Sought six ‘heroes of renown’ for a mission.

Individually summoned via letter by Mayor Ptolemy Hiton, each hero gathers in his estate’s opulent topiary courtyard buzzing with city guards. They are redirected to the stables to meet crown agent Sir Kalec Myss. He asks them to deliver a carved box containing a pendant to Captain of the Guard Richard in Rashawn. The heroes store the box on Marcellus the tiger and head south.

Encounter 5: A Village at the Crossroads/“See Who ‘Gyps’ Who, Gypsy,” Part II

—Balin, Maleficent, & Dr. Stone visit the local apothecary’s wagon for information and body-dissolving agents for the surveyors. Elderly apothecary Chauncy says no townsfolk of Crossroads are missing, warns of scavenging gnolls in the area, and sells them acid.

—Sir Dameon, Marcellus, & Red take the acids and ride away to dissolve the corpses.

—Slappy warns the village is ‘cursed’ but can’t explain. Barlow visits wagon w/ crystal ball sign and asks old fortuneteller Magda. Magda says local mages put up protective wards against kobolds/gnolls/lizardfolk but she insists the curse is bogus. Allegedly the area is haunted by some magican who died before the town existed. Barlow gets gypped.

Encounter 6: Thief in the Night/No More Forking Around

Heroes bed down in the common house w/ merchants, gypsies, & villagers. Merchant Omar (whom Dr. Stone helps clear out his bed bugs) explains that a year ago the bridge went out, prompting stranded merchants and travelers to establish a temporary settlement. A child tries to filch from sleeping Balin’s pack, but Slappy scares him off with a fork.

—Interrogate fanatic “Bard Simpson” who rants “You will all die to the Eye of Being!” Slay him.

—Dr. Stone recalls a vile wizard known as the Eye of Being. He runs a dark magic academy the good doctor once declined to join. Search bard’s cart for clues but find only loot.

Encounter 8: A Kobold Reborn/Everybody Needs Some Body Sometime

Follow Chauncy’s directions to the vale of Valen, an elven druid who likes barn owl wildshaping. For a fee Valen reincarnates Slappy as an orc, new name “Punch!” We award orc clothes, armor, & falchion. Buy potions.